Investigators Finally Arrive at MH17 Crash Site In Ukraine For 'Quick Inspection'
Investigators were finally able to arrive at the crash site of Malaysia Airlines flight 17 Thursday after almost a week of roadblocks that included rebel fighting and mine-laden fields.
Teams from the Netherlands and Australia were critical of pro-Russia separatists and the Ukrainian government after they were unable to access the crash site for four days, repeatedly being turned back to the city of Donetsk due to safety concerns. Concern mounted as more days since the July 17 crash passed, as important personal items and even body parts were becoming more vulnerable to the elements, including high summer temperatures, the longer they sat.
According to the Associated Press, the investigators were allowed to visit the crash site, located near the city of Rozsypne, on Thursday while being accompanied by one rifle-toting gunman. Reporters were not allowed to accompany the investigators to the site.
Although Thursday's visit was short, the foreign examiners described the mission as a success. Australian Federal Police commander Brian McDonald said in a statement to reporters that Thursday's visit was more of an inspection of the site, and the recovery of the bodies and items will take place in coming days. There are reportedly 80 bodies left from the crash.
"We had a quick inspection of the site. Today was more about an assessment of the site than it was of a search," McDonald told reporters.
The Ukrainian government and rebel forces are blaming each other for the July 17 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight 17 that killed all 298 people onboard. Analysis of black box data from the plane indicates in was likely downed by a Buk missile that exploded midair, with its shrapnel consequently forcing the plane to crash.
Although the United Nations called for a temporary cease-fire between rebel and government forces on Thursday to respect the work being done at the crash site, reporters say that clashes were still taking place near where the MH17 flight went down.
